Love Found Me 2 Read Free Page A

that but how did you meet this other guy?” Becca persisted.
    “A couple days ago, I was on my break hanging out at Roy’s and in walks this guy. He was well over six-feet, shoulders like a lumberjack and his green eyes… holy-moly they were intense.” Chloe fanned her face. “When he stopped and reached down to sooth a frightened dog he changed, softened, and seemed to relax. That instant change intrigued me.”
    Chloe touched a colorful hummingbird windchime with her index finger. The musical tinkling sound was beautiful. Tegan sold all kinds of beautiful trinkets in her shop. She had shelves filled with wine but also handmade vases, delicate bird feeders, and beautiful picture frames.
    “What’s his name? Do we know him?” Becca selected a chocolate and popped it into her mouth.
    “No, I don’t think so. His name is Mitch Broden. He’s a little rough around the edges, but sensitive—the strong, silent type.”
    “Why was he at Roy’s?” Becca asked.
    “His cat had kittens and he wasn’t expecting them. That’s a long story but Roy helped him out and now they’re friends.”
    Chloe topped off each of their wine glasses. She knew they weren’t done interrogating her.
    “What does Mitch do for a living?” Tegan asked, taking a sip of wine.
    “I asked Roy about that. Roy said he works as a corrections officer at the state prison.”
    Chloe tilted her glass and swallowed the smooth, slightly sweet, and tart wine and planned to buy a couple bottles to take home. She loved to cook and the chardonnay would go great with salmon cakes topped with her creamy dill sauce. She tapped her chin and wondered if Mitch liked salmon.
    “I hear that’s a pretty stressful job. Lucky for him he has you—the master of relaxation techniques. Have you given him one of your green tea mud masks yet? I’m hooked on them.” Becca’s eyes looked dreamy.
    She couldn’t picture Mitch relaxing long enough for the liquid to dry, but it would be fun to try. “Hey, guys. I know you have more questions for me but I have early appointments tomorrow. I’m heading home.”
    “Okay, but next week we want more details and hopefully Becca and Laura will have good news too,” Tegan said as she picked up their wine glasses. She never let them help. She always said her shop—her job .
    August pulled up as they were leaving. He came by every night and helped Tegan close up. He’d been very protective ever since Richard burned the wine shop to the ground.
    “Did you all have a fun evening?” August asked as he got out of his truck.
    “Yes. As always,” they all replied and got in their cars.

Chapter Four

    Mitch’s visit to The Grape Vine Day Spa was two-fold: he wanted to ask Chloe a favor and also ask her out on a date. Roy said Chloe loved the fancy blended coffee drinks from the shop down the street from her shop. Mitch figured a coffee would be a good ice breaker, and he needed all the help he could get. It had been over a year since his last date . In the past, the hoopla of asking, and figuring out where to go, and then carrying on an intelligent conversation seemed like more trouble than it was worth. But when he thought of Chloe, he saw himself relaxed, laughing and having a good time.
    Twenty minutes before, Mitch stood at the counter at the Cup of Joe Coffee Shop and froze when the clerk asked what size and flavor he wanted. He wrongly assumed there was only one kind and felt way out of his comfort zone. He’d heard movement and turned. A line formed behind him and by the looks on their faces, the others customers were contemplating a lynch mob if he didn’t make up his mind soon.
    “I’ll take the most popular size and flavor,” Mitch blurted. The kid looked relieved.
    “I need a large, caramel, swirl iced coffee,” the clerk shouted. “That’ll be six dollars and seventy-five cents please.”
    Mitch forked over eight dollars; the guy deserved the tip. He’d been tempted to take a large sip. He’d never